“Our restaurant is not a typical restaurant,” said Rosaria Eskeranli, who with her husband Coskun owns A La Turka Turkish Kitchen in Lake View. “When you come in you’re getting a cultural experience. It’s like you’re coming to visit someone. You feel like you’re at home. It’s like we’ve known you for years. The ambiance is what really makes us different.”
The restaurant at 3134 N. Lincoln Ave., considered by many to be the biggest kept secret in the area, takes pride in delighting its customers. Its mission is to exceed expectations. “We treat our guests like sultans and queens,” Rosaria told Inside, “and folks just don’t want to leave.”
A La Turka prepares Turkish classical cooking every day of the week. On Fridays and Saturdays bellydancers add a little twist and attract more people, so be sure to make reservations if you’re headed there on those days. In addition, the Turkish tradition of reading one’s coffee grounds is available on Saturdays for a $5 charge.
For first time visitors, Rosaria recommends hot Turkish appetizers, such as a zucchini and carrot pancake called mucver, or lahmacun, a Turkish pizza. As well as the famous meat kebaps, there are many vegetarian choices. Manti is a ravioli like dish with a yogurt sauce. Mouth-watering selections include baby eggplant stuffed with onions, tomatoes, garlic, green and red peppers, roasted pine nuts, and Turkish feta cheese. Stuffed grape leaves, squid, octopus, sautéed baby lamb and homemade gyros are just some of the options here.
The extensive menu offers choices certain to please the customer. “Once you find us you’ll always come back!” Rosaria said.
The restaurant accommodates over 100 people and can cater to private parties easily within that space. The hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.
With the help of A La Turka Turkish Kitchen, you can enjoy the world of Turkish food either on site or delivered to your home.
Call (773) 935-6447 for more information.
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